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Setting up a custom domain on Vercel allows you to personalize your website’s URL and improve branding. This guide walks you through the process step-by-step, ensuring your domain is correctly configured and live.
Prerequisites
- A registered domain name with a domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap)
- A Vercel account with your project deployed
- Access to your domain registrar’s DNS management panel
Step 1: Add Your Custom Domain to Vercel
Log in to your Vercel dashboard. Navigate to your project, then click on the “Settings” tab. Select “Domains” from the sidebar, and click “Add.” Enter your custom domain name (e.g., www.yourdomain.com) and click “Add.”
Step 2: Configure DNS Settings at Your Domain Registrar
Vercel will provide DNS records that need to be added at your domain registrar. Typically, these include A records or CNAME records. Log in to your registrar’s DNS management panel and locate the DNS settings for your domain.
For example, if Vercel provides an A record, add it with the specified IP address. If it provides a CNAME record, set it to point to cname.vercel-dns.com.
Step 3: Verify Domain Ownership
After updating DNS records, return to Vercel and click “Verify” next to your domain. DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours, so be patient if verification doesn’t succeed immediately.
Step 4: Set the Custom Domain as Default (Optional)
If you want your custom domain to be the primary URL for your project, go to the “Domains” section in Vercel, select your domain, and click “Set as Primary.” This will redirect all traffic from your project’s default URL to your custom domain.
Final Tips
- Ensure DNS records are correctly propagated before testing your website.
- Use online DNS checkers to verify your records.
- Set up SSL/TLS certificates in Vercel for secure HTTPS connections.
By following these steps, your custom domain should be successfully connected and live. Enjoy a professional, branded URL for your website hosted on Vercel!